Nunnery Wood youth football match reports

What we'll all remember about this game is getting completely soaked to the skin in what was probably the worst weather we have ever had to play in.

We should all however be deeply respectful of the tenacity and character of our children when they can play through that without complaining, just getting on with it. What an amazing group of lads.

The game started and finished in the pouring rain, Cookley were a little late due to roadworks so the game finally kicked off at 11:10 meaning the lads had been out in the rain for around 40 minutes.

The game started and both teams were struggling to find their passing rhythm with Nathan Mace and Sasha Bhangoo in control for Cougars at the back, making some great tackles and clearances to keep the Cookley attack at bay.

Anything that did get through was dealt with easily by Will Meredith who didn't have a lot to do in the first half.

Cougars attacking midfielder Alfie Carthew and wing back combination of Sam Drinkwater and Jake Lewitzkyi then started to take control of the game with some sweet passing making it difficult for Cookley to see anything of the ball.

This was helped by Tristan Rowell upfront, whose tireless efforts kept the Cookley defence on their toes.

Matthew Green's debut then arrived and saw him come on the pitch keen to make an impression, which he did with his great tackling, running and intelligent use of the ball helping him to slot into the game brilliantly.

It was to be Cougars that scored the first goal with a rasping effort from Drinkwater parried by the keeper into the path of Lewitzkyi who cooly slotted home; 1:0 Cougars.

The game continued to ebb and flow with neither team managing to create a clear opportunity until half time when the Cougars coaches had one of their easiest half-time talks ever, which was more of the same please boys.

In the second half it became clear that all the lads on the pitch were struggling to keep going in the deperately poor conditions but Cougars were looking like they would be the ones to score on balance of play. It was however to be Cookley who scored the next goal making it 1:1.

Shortly afterwards some great build up play led to Green spotting Drinkwater's run into the box and playing the perfect ball for Drinkwater to receive the pass and calmly place the ball into the back of the net between the keeper's legs; 2:1 Cougars.

The game then finished with Cougars winning the first of three games in the Cup competition, setting them up nicely for the next one vs. Rock next Saturday.

Saturday 8th November 2014 Nunnery Wood U12’s Wolves 5 Droitwich Spa 0 Goal(s): Connor Baker (3), Elliot Benson, Ollie Matthews.

After a long break due to the October half term holidays, we were looking forward to playing again especially at home on our favourite pitch.

Unfortunately the weather was against us and the rain was lashing down from start to finish.

We decided to give the whole squad a run out rather than leave any one out as we hadn’t played for three weeks and also had Reece making his debut for us. This made it tricky for subs and rotation but with the rain the boys took advantage of sheltering under the biggest umbrella in the world!

At least we had a ref for this game and we knew Droitwich would be tough looking at their recent results.

The first half started with both sides very even in the middle of the park.

Droitwich battled well and although we had some good possession we couldn’t find a clear chance to go ahead.

After 10 minutes we managed to get the break through. Wils Llewellyn clipped a great clearance over the defence and Connor Baker ran through and as the keeper came out went round him and slotted into the empty net. A great finish-1:0.

We made a lot of subs during this half as with the rain, the boys were also getting cold and this disrupted our flow slightly along with a stubborn Droitwich team who were still in the game.

We couldn’t get the crucial next goal and went into half time only 1:0 up although had defended well against the wind.

The game was still close and we’d need to push on in the second half with the wind behind us and hopefully Droitwich would tire as we had more subs to rotate for fresh legs.

We started well again in the second half but Droitwich were also playing well but our pressure was beginning to pay dividends.

After 5 minutes some great passing in the middle from Alex Perrin to James Taylor saw the ball slotted through to Connor Baker who poked the ball past the onrushing keeper into the net-2:0.

This gave us a bit of breathing space but we’d lost 2 boys to injury and the cold weather but the rest of the squad battled well. Connor then had the ball in the net again after running through and was off celebrating his hat trick before we all realised the linesmans flag was up for offside.

But he wasn’t denied for long. After 10 minutes he scored a legitimate goal to make it 3:0 and this time could celebrate his hat trick properly.

The rain was still coming down hard but the boys kept playing their football and all credit to Droitwich who still hadn’t given up and kept pushing for a goal.

They had a couple of chances but Ewan Guy in goal was very safe with his handling despite the very wet ball.

They had a free kick on the edge of the box and he had to dive full length to his right to push it round for a corner.

We’d made a lot of subs again and eventually they made it count.

After 25 minutes Dan Green, who had been floating over some great corners, got one to the back post where Elliot Benson unmarked controlled it and smashed it into the net for 4:0.

Then with a minute to go, some good play down the left saw Dan Green pass to Max Arnold who passed across the edge of the crowded box to Ollie Matthews who smashed it into the corner to finish the game on 5:0-a great strike!

Overall it was a great performance in the conditions and the boys showed a great attitude including Droitwich who were superb.

Ewan in goal and the defence were solid and added another clean sheet to their collection, the midfield were compact and creative and up front Connor Baker was lethal.

But the Man of the Match this week for an outstanding performance at the back especially in the first half went to Wils Llewellyn who was a rock-nothing got past-he cleared well, chased back with perfectly timed slide tackles, was strong in the physical duels and won everything in the air.

Next week is our blank week to miss out on the fixtures so we may try to arrange a friendly or we’ll be at home to L&B Badgers in two weeks.

Nunnery Wood Leopards v Warndon Villages Cobras 9th November 2014 2.00 P.M. – Score 2-2.

Goal Scorers: Ashley Mace 1, Josh Edwards 1.

Both teams began the match with attacking intent and it soon became clear that this would be an exciting game between two evenly balanced teams.

The Leopards were playing with confidence and were keeping the ball on the floor with slick and accurate passing.

Tom Layton and Ashley Mace were controlling the midfield and Josh Edwards was causing concern for the Warndon defence with a number of intelligent runs and clever link up play with Tom Kelsall, Ben Passberger and Tom Banks.

However the Leopards were unable to break through the strong central defence of Warndon and went 0-1 behind following a spell of Warndon pressure.

Shortly thereafter Tom Banks and Ashley Mace both had long range shots that went just wide of the post before Tom Kelsall’s pass to Ashley Mace saw the Leopards draw level when Ashley Mace battered his way past the Warndon defence.

Harry Stringer and Tom Banks were putting a number of threatening crosses and only some great saves from the Warndon keeper kept the score level at half time.

Warndon began the second half strongly and the Leopards defence of Harry Stringer, Kurtis Hill, Jake Williams, Ryan Hall and Dec Farley were working effectively as a unit to thwart their attacks.

Sam Causley was mopping up any long balls played over the top and marshalling his defence.

However the Leopards found themselves behind again when a well struck shot gave Sam Causley no chance.

As always the boys never gave up and for the remainder of the match they were in control.

Tom Layton and Harry Stringer were playing some delightful passes to Josh Edwards and Ben Passberger who both had a number of efforts on goal well saved.

Ashley Mace and Kurtis Hill were in control of the midfield. Dec Farley, Jake Williams and Ryan Hall were putting in their customary crunching tackles in defence and Harry stringer, Tom Banks and Fin Chambers were working the channels.

A neat lay off from Tom Layton found Josh Edwards whose magnificent run from inside his own half brought the scores level at 2-2 when he coolly finished from a tight angle.

The boys sensed that the match could be won and continued to attack Warndon.

Fin Chambers was combining superbly with Tom Kelsall and creating a number of openings for Ben Passberger, Josh Edwards and Tom Banks.

Harry Stringer then nearly scored from a corner when he rifled in a cross that hit the crossbar.

Despite the pressure the Leopards were unable to find the elusive third goal and the match ended 2-2.

This game was extremely encouraging and saw great teamwork from the boys.

Without exception they gave all they had and can count themselves a little unlucky not to have picked up all three points.